Screw Halloween

It's just one more expensive night I can do without

from JoeUser Forums
Since August I've had anxiety attacks over what my child will be for Halloween. Is it cute enough? Is it original enough? Is it warm enough? Nothing at the stores is good enough for my child. But oh, no, I just remembered...I don't sew.

Crap. He's just two. He won't remember it anyway. He's always asleep by night time anyway.

Let the Wiccans have a heyday on their pagan new year. As for my son...he will be safely asleep. No poison candy. No rotten teeth.

The tradeoff? No fun.

Oh well. That's nothing new around here.
2,296 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

That doesn't sound like fun.  What time is trick or treating around your house?  Ours starts at 5pm, which gives plenty of time before it is really dark to go out for 1/2 an hour or so.  Who cares what the costume is?  At that age, my daughter wore a pull over lion costume over appropriate clothes and wore mittens (I painted a nose and whiskers on her).  She had a blast.

 

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good for your daughter.

I fear that as far as holidays go, my son may just grow up sort of like a Jehovah's witness because his mommy hates putting on a show for pre-determined holidays that mean nothing to her.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

Angela,

Good for you guys! You should raise your children as YOU see fit, not as everyone else does.

(PSSSSSTTT! As one who hasn't celebrated Halloween, I can tell you your kids will not miss the holiday at all if'n you buy 'em bags of cheap candy that are being clearanced out at the store on November 1).

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I always thought it was a shame the kids I knew who didn't get to do the fun holiday stuff because their parents thought it was pointless or silly (note... I'm not including parents who opt out due to religious reasons). Since he's only two, the next few halloweens won't matter. Will you change your tune when he gets older and wants to go out with his little friends?
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Angela, I really can't understand you.  First you obsess over what he should be, then you just say "screw it".  Why?  Obviously it's not some deep seated belief since you stated: "The tradeoff? No fun.  Oh well. That's nothing new around here. "

Who is keeping you from having fun?  If you think that everything has to be "perfect" to have fun, then you are wrong. 

We don't believe in "Christmas", but that doesn't prevent us from having winter holiday fun. Everyone else is having fun, so we do too, but in our own way.  You (and, more importantly, your son) is going to miss out on a lot if you just have a "screw it" attitude because nothing is "good enough" for your child.

If it was a religious or cultural reason no to participate, I could understand.  but, considering you were obsessing over the costume, that is obviously not the case.  What is the *real* reason?

Since he's only two, the next few halloweens won't matter

You would be amazed at what kids remember and what they bring up later on.  My daughter reminds of stuff from when she was 3 that I didn't remember until she mentioned it.  Kids have amazing memories.  The years up until they are 5 really have an impact on the rest of their lives (that is not my opinion, that is documented in early development studies around the world). 

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Karma:
At that age, my daughter wore a pull over lion costume over appropriate clothes and wore mittens (I painted a nose and whiskers on her).


Both my boys had lion costumes like that when they were little. It was really fun.

Angela: Of course, it's up to you, and at this age, he probably won't remember it long term, but if you're bowing out JUST because it's stressing you out, DON'T!!

It makes so many memories, it's a fun family activity, and he'll love looking at photographs of himself in costumes when he's older. ANYTHING will be fine. You can usually even come up with something cute with what you have around the house.

My favorite costume that my youngest ever wore (he was about your son's age when he wore it) was a baby sumo costume. I bought a white toddler sweatsuit for under $5 at Wal-Mart, dyed it (lightly) with peach-colored dye, used acrylic paint to paint on fat rolls and belly button and all that, and glued a strip of white fabric around the middle and up the front and back like a sumo "diaper".

We grabbed some of his hair on and put it into a tiny ponytail on the top of his head.

It wouldn't have impressed Martha Stewart, but he looked adorable, and he loves seeing those pictures of himself as a Baby Sumo (he's 5 now).

Do what makes you happy, but remember, you don't have to wow anyone with your child's costume.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Angela: Of course, it's up to you, and at this age, he probably won't remember it long term, but if you're bowing out JUST because it's stressing you out, DON'T!!


Excellent point! I stand (partly) corrected!

Don't bow out just because of the stress of it. There are a million things more stressful than this.

He MIGHT remember the fun he had on Halloween when he gets older. What he WON'T remember is how good/bad the costume looked. Remember, to a two year old, Big Bird looks real!
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
At two my kids had a lot more fun answering the door, laughing at (or being scared by) the trick or treaters at home than going out trick or treating. You're right, they probably wont' remember trick or treating, but they might just have a lot of fun handing out candy!! Just an idea.... have fun either way!!
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Gee Angela, this doesn't sound like you. "Screw Halloween"? What's going on?!?! I DEMAND AN EMAIL!

I know it's overwhelming sometimes and it doesn't seem worth the effort, but looking back, I realize that even a little effort helped pull me out of the duldrums.

I'm emailing you right now!
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
TexasWahine

That's so cute!

Yeah, sorry all, I was generally pissed off at the world when I posted that article a few hours ago. If you'd brought up ANY topic I would have bashed it one way or another.

As for Halloween...eeeehh, who cares, we'll do something I'm sure, but don't plan on going all out. Sometimes I get stressed out at any little thing.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
I can understand the anxiety Angela. You're right though, he's too young to care what you let him wear if and when you do decide to participate.

I do let my kids participate in Holloween activities because it's a fun time and they enjoy getting dressed up and having fun with their friends. Plus it's always fun to see what goodies they get and we're usually stocked with candies til Xmas!

Now I just let them choose since they're older, my oldest doesn't get dressed up in kiddie costumes anymore, she comes up with her own creative stuff. But they all enjoy it!